Hmm, last year I was pretty excited to hear about the new nursing graduate guarantee. With all the economic turmoil, I figure that I chose a relatively recession proof profession. Yup, nurses are always needed and even more so because we are already experiencing a critical nursing shortage. Surely hospitals won’t scale back on the hiring of new nurses because we are already in a bind?!
Nope, CBC had an article a month or so ago:
Nursing groups decry Ontario decision to delay 9,000 hirings
The Ontario government decided to, in light of a looming $500 million deficit, stretch the hiring of 9,000 nurses over 5 years instead of 4; I might add that this is at a projected savings of $50 million this year.
Hmm, I said again… maybe all of those RNs that are set to retire (who are patiently waiting for reinforcements and workload reductions) may bail earlier than expected. I also wonder if this may drive some new nursing graduates to the good ol’ US of A?!
Read the Registered Nurses’ Associate of Ontario response here
Now this was bothering me a bit, but I remain optimistic because there is a plethora of nursing work out there- I am bound to find something!
Well, check this out… in Ontario, hospitals are now required to balance their budgets or face cutbacks/removal of block payments from LHINs (I don’t think that this is totally unreasonable because we need to have some accountability, and drive to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness) but look at this:
- Expect more patient problems (Letters)
- Ensuring the right care provider (Response)
- Job cuts loom at KGH
What does this mean?
More PSW and RPN positions in acute care (cheaper on the payroll) and less RNs? I wonder how much that will cost in the long run?! I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
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